Where to Catch the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade With a Drink in Hand
Thanksgiving morning in Philly has two kinds of people:
The ones wrapped in blankets on the Parkway at 7 AM, and
The ones who want to watch the parade without freezing their eyebrows off.
This guide is for group #2.
The Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade runs down Ben Franklin Parkway, loops past the museums and hotels, and gives you plenty of smart places to watch, sip, warm up, or sneak in a parade day brunch. Here’s where to spend your Thanksgiving morning:
Via Urban Farmer’s Instagram
1. Assembly Rooftop Lounge
If you want the skyline, the Parkway, and a warm drink in hand, then Assembly is the move.
Even if you don’t catch the floats directly below, you get an elevated view of the entire area minus the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
2. Urban Farmer
For anyone who likes to enjoy the parade in short bursts of “cold → warm → cold,” this place is the perfect HQ. Catch the parade from the crowd, then head straight to Urban Farmer to thaw out over a solid brunch. It’s literally right off the Parkway — walk a block, catch a float, come back inside when your toes give up.
3. City Tap Logan Square
Just a short walk from the route, City Tap gives you a comfortable indoor spot with beer flights and big brunch portions.
4. Square 1682
When all the noise is getting to you and you want something close to the parade route but slightly tucked away, Square 1682 delivers the food, the drinks, and the warm space you’ll want after standing outside.
Watch a few balloons, then grab a drink. Walk back out, see a band, then warm up again. Parade day is way more fun when you treat it like a moving bar crawl with giant puppets.
Before you finalize your Thanksgiving gameplan, make sure to check out another one of our latest guides: Philadelphia’s Best Hot Pretzels and Beer Pairings. If your parade morning turns into an all-day hang (it happens), you’ll have the perfect itinerary for salty snacks and cold beer across the city.
